SEPARATION Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

separation

noun

ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən

Definition of separation

as in dissolution

the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces the separation of Norway and Sweden into two independent nations in 1905

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in distinction

the state of being kept distinct the separation of church and state is an important concept in the United States

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in divergence

a movement in different directions away from a common point a sudden separation of the herd of deer when they were startled

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gap

an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) the narrow separation between posts in the fence

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in departure

the act or process of two or more persons going off in different directions friends who dreaded the inevitable separation after graduation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in divider

something that divides, separates, or marks off a filing cabinet with lots of adjustable separations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of separation Securing public money for them raises issues over church-state separation but fulfills a longstanding goal for Christian conservatives, who lobbied for this funding. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 Canada’s largest prairie province will remain part of the country, as voters in Alberta overwhelmingly denied an independence referendum that would have started the province on a path to separation. — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 21 Oct. 2026 But the separation between mainstream and adult creators is not clear. — Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 Though separation frequently polled low in Alberta, the movement grew louder after Carney’s Liberal Party won the 2025 federal elections amid a trade war with the United States. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for separation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for separation

Noun

Hughes stayed with the band for three albums and, after Deep Purple’s dissolution, briefly rejoined Trapeze and released a solo album, Play Me Out, in 1977.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Amuom said the dissolution had contributed to the insecurity by leaving key local government posts vacant.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of dissolution

Noun

That distinction shows both the opportunity for American technology and the limits imposed by remaining dependencies.

— Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The city institution, which artistic director Robert Drake describes as Georgia's longest-running theater, also holds the distinction of being the first professional theater to integrate both its casts and audience in the southeastern United States.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinction

Noun

Following an extended advance, the S & P 500 began testing its rising 50-day moving average as negative RSI divergences developed.

— Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
The divergence shows how much revenue growth now depends on earning more from each passenger rather than carrying more of them.

— Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of divergence

Noun

Democrats still have an advantage in voting by mail, but that gap is smaller than in 2022 as more Democrats shift to early in-person voting.

— A Martínez, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
The sell-off came despite the positive results, underscoring the gap between the treatment's clinical promise and investor expectations for its commercial potential.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of gap

Noun

Since Sorrells was sworn in, at least 79 assistant district attorneys have resigned, according to a source familiar with the departures.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
His departure just days before the midterms adds to the questions swirling around MAHA’s salience to the electorate.

— Anil Oza, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of departure

Noun

Vertical dividers make baking sheets and trays easier to grab, while deep drawers, narrow pullouts and toe-kick drawers give hard-to-store items a dedicated spot.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
The bird, which some witnesses guessed was a parrot, was seen perching on people’s heads and line dividers, landing on luggage and carry-on bags and even trying to nip at some travelers.

— Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of divider

Noun

If a split occurred, the black hole’s horizon — the boundary beyond which light cannot escape — would divide into two separate horizons.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
The Brax Wink features a BlackBerry-style design with the front split between a 4-inch display and a full physical keyboard.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of split

Noun

Supreme Court justices will now consider whether a group claiming to be targeted by a race-neutral policy must show it was disproportionately harmed to prove intentional discrimination.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
The psychological effects of past Ebola outbreaks can persist long after the immediate crisis, according to WHO, often taking the form of anxiety and mood disorders, exacerbated by prolonged grief and discrimination.

— Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026